NEWS
--Officials are offering a $10,000 reward for information about the fatal hit-and-run crash that killed Dr. Cathy Donovan near Lake Mille Lacs last month. Donovan was struck on the 40000 block of Highway 169 in Kathio Township around 5pm on Nov. 13. The 56-year-old was walking her two dogs Flash and Sunny at the time of the crash, one of whom was also killed. She was a long-time doctor in the area, and Mille Lacs County Sheriff Kyle Burton noted that nearly all the first-responders who came to the scene personally knew her. She was on call at the hospital, but had gone home to walk her dogs, which she did regularly. Authorities say they don't have a description of the vehicle that struck Donovan, but are asking the public to be on the lookout for ones with "heavy front-end damage." Anyone with information about the crash is asked to call the county sheriff's tip line at 320-983-8346. Tips can also be submitted anonymously online to Crime Stoppers, or by calling 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).
--A home was saved Monday night after a fully involved structure fire destroyed multiple vehicles and a garage on Pillager Creek Drive Southwest in Cass County. Pillager Area Fire and Rescue responded to the fire, reported at 11:05pm in Sylvan Township, northwest of Pillager. Fire crews arrived to find an engulfed fire in an attached garage which had also spread to multiple vehicles in the driveway of the home. Fifteen firefighters fought the fire for almost four hours before the scene was cleared with no injuries reported. Fire officials used about 9,000 gallons of water to extinguish the blaze and save the home. Though there was some smoke and water damage to the home, it was saved. The common wall between the garage and the home did sustain significant damage. Assistance was offered to the family who are staying with friends and family in the area.
--Authorities have released the name of the man who died over the weekend in the Anoka County Jail. The Sherburne County Sheriff's Office says it was 36-year-old Richard Daily of Big Lake. They say the case is still under investigation. The cause and manner of his death are still pending the results of toxicology tests. The Anoka County Sheriff's Office says on Saturday just after 11:30am a detention deputy was conducting inmate rounds and checks when they noticed an unresponsive man in his cell. Medical staff, provided life-saving measures to the inmate but he was declared dead at the scene.
--More than 650 Central Minnesota grocery store workers will hit the picket line in the days before Christmas. Members of the United Food and Commercial Workers Local 663 have filed their intention to hold a four-day Unfair Labor Practice strike from December 22nd through the 25th. Quisberg’s Cub Foods in Brainerd and Baxter, SuperValu in Pequot Lakes, Miner’s Super One Foods in Baxter and Crosby. Workers have been without a contract since December 3rd, and are negotiating for better pay and benefits. Union officials claim Quisberg’s and Miner’s have engaged in unfair business practices and workers have experienced interrogation, surveillance, and intimidation as they exercised their right to participate in protected concerted activity. No word if negotiations are planned for them.
--The Morrison County Disabled American Veterans Chapter 12 Christmas meeting and meal is tonight at 5pm at the Little Falls VFW for all DAV member and Auxiliary members. Dan Noss of the DAV stated that the event was usually done on the 2nd Wednesday in December but they moved it to tonight at 5pm at the VFW to accompany the staff and those involved in putting on the meal.
--Little Falls Community Schools Superintendent Greg Johnson spoke on KLTF yesterday and said that they are going to move the CEC building into the high school east end of the building. This allows those students more access to other programming to help these students excel in welding and hands on work that they could not do in the other building this will start in the spring and summer. Johnson said the Strategic Plan continuing to aid students and academic achievements after some reading and math scores were lower than expected in the district. They are going to stress elementary grades K-5 with a possible idea of moving K-2 in one school in Little Falls and grades 3-5 in another school instead of 2 separate schools in Little Falls. Johnson stressed that safety as the school is important and thanked the sheriff's office and police department for their work when when needed in the district. Welcomes those to take in sporting events, concerts and other events the school puts on through the winter season. The next board meeting is Monday 5pm at Middle School media center if you have questions or concerns to bring up to Superintendent Johnson and the School Board.
--Tax brackets are being adjusted upwards by over 5% to help compensate for inflation. The Minnesota Department of Revenue makes the changes to ensure that people aren’t bumped up a bracket for making more money in what is known as nominal terms. That means their income is higher than the year before without seeing their overall purchasing power increase. Individual income tax brackets have been indexed for inflation since 1979 as required by law. The threshold for an individual standard deduction will also be moved upward due to the shift to $14,575. For couples, it is $29,150.
A single filer would be taxed at 5.35% for the first $31,690 of income. The highest bracket, 9.85%, would apply for single filers on income above $193,240. Some taxpayers make quarterly payments. The new brackets would apply to them first, beginning in April 2024. For the latest bracket information you can go the state of Minnesota website or contact your local tax provider for info.
ENTERTAINMENT NEWS
--Andre Braugher, the actor known for his roles on “Homicide: Life on The Street” and “Brooklyn 99,” died Monday at age 61.
DEATH NOTICES
--Tina Brill, age 54 of Little Falls.
WEATHER
TODAY= mostly sunny and mild, high 47.
TONIGHT= cloudy skies, rain overnight, low 35.
FRIDAY= rain showers early and late day, cloudy, high 43, low 30.
SATURDAY= AM flurries, then partly sunny, high 37, low near 22.
SUNDAY= cloudy, breezy and cooler, high 34, low near 20.
SPORTS
HS GBB= Zimmerman at Little Falls tonight at 5:45pm followed by
HS BBB= Zimmerman at Little Falls tonight around 7:30pm in a girls/boys double header, both games live on Q92 WYRQ.
HS GBB= Crosby-Ironton at Pierz tonight at 7:15pm on 94ROCKS.
NFL= Vikings announced that Nick Mullins will start as quarterback this Saturday at Cincinnati with Josh Dobbs moved to a backup role. The game starts at 11:30am pregame Saturday on AM960 KLTF.